Trump Said Canada “Burned the White House Once” as Trade Tensions Between Two Rise

As the trade tensions between the United States and Canada continue to rise, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his objection to Trump’s imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. The Canadian Prime Minister attempted to conduct a test call with Trump last week, but not before he received the POTUS’ response stating how the Canadian soldiers burned down the White House before.

The History

The U.S. President Trump brought up the War of 1812 last Friday when Trudeau asked him how the imposing of tariffs on import metals was reasonable due to national security reasons. Trump merely replied with a remark about burning the White House during the 1812 War. Neither the White House nor the Canadian officials refused to comment on the said issue as of this writing.

While the soldiers did burn the White House before, the historians claim that the said attack was in retaliation against the attack in Ontario. Furthermore, Canada was still a part of the UK colony at that time.

According to History, the British troops burned the White House in 1814 after its failed invasion of the mid-Atlantic. And although the British successfully invaded Washington and burned down much of its city, they failed to take Baltimore when their forces were eliminated at the Fort McHenry battle. Canada then became a major battlefield during the conflict.

This war paved the way for the creation of Canada’s national identity and independence in 1867. Although Trump intended the comment as a joke, it didn’t sit well with the Canadian leader. If anything, Trudeau said Trump’s apparent historical snark exacerbates the tension of US-Canada diplomatic relations.

Totally Unacceptable

Trudeau called Trump’s move “totally unacceptable” after the US government implemented a 25% tariff on steel and 10% on aluminum metals. Furthermore, they also removed Canada’s exemption to the said metal tariff, like it did with the European Union and Mexico. Trump’s latest movement triggered a trade war in the international community. This also pushed the allies to retaliate on US Goods. In fact, the Canadian government also announced its intention to impose tariffs on US products to counter the metal tariffs.

Trudeau also felt insulted by Trump’s indication that their country poses a national security threat to the United States.

Trudeau said during an NBC interview that the Canadian soldiers fought with the Americans and died on the beaches together during the World War II, and in the mountains in Afghanistan. The soldiers of both countries stood shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, as they fight in the most difficult and dangerous places in the world. Trudeau was certain that both countries will always be there for each other. According to him, the US and Canada are great allies when it comes to geopolitical issues.

But for Trump to say and bring up a sensitive historical topic like that, was an insult to him and the country he leads. He also added that the Canadian steel and aluminum metals helped create the military vehicles and fighter jets of United States forces. And he cannot understand how their metals somehow now become a threat to the country’s security.

A Dramatic Switch

Trudeau’s recent harsh words are deemed as a new, dramatic switch from his usual, earlier tactics with Trump, according to the experts. They noted how the Prime Minister was welcoming and showering Trump with praises and flattery at the start of his presidency. And he became more upbeat especially at the prospect of de-escalation from the potential trade wars.

Aside from the impending tariff wars, the two countries remain divided in negotiations to implement a new version of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). The trade experts noted the ongoing tensions swiftly dwindled the prospects of signing the new deal anytime soon. However, both government still remain optimistic that the great US-Canada relations could still be restored.